Games

How to Play FPL Draft – A Beginner’s Guide

Fantasy Premier League Draft is free to play and runs parallel with old-school FPL. If you’re already registered for the long-running FPL game, you can also immediately get involved with Draft.

Draft uses exactly the same scoring system as FPL with only one exception: there are no captains or vice-captains.

There are also no chips or Wildcards.

For the uninitiated or those needing a refresher on the rules, here’s a brief guide on how to play the game.

How to Play

Joining a League/The Draft

The first step is to create or join a league. Private leagues can include up to 16 managers, although the game itself states that eight is the recommended number. Eight, indeed, is the limit for public leagues (although four or six managers are also permitted) – you can enter those with random members of the FPL Draft community.

Like the traditional FPL game, leagues can run in the classic form or in the head-to-head format.

The key selling point of Draft is that each 15-man squad within a private/public league is unique, so only one team in each league can, for example, own Harry Kane or Mohamed Salah.

The draft system used is described as a “snake draft”, where managers take it in turns to select players until a squad is complete over 15 rounds. An example four-team league would follow this pattern at the draft pick stage:

Round 1: Team A, Team B, Team C, Team D
Round 2: Team D, Team C, Team B, Team A

Unlike the traditional FPL format, there are no budgets or player prices – so there is plenty of room for premium assets.

League administrators can set a draft date and time for private leagues, while public league drafts begin 30 minutes after the first team joins. Everything will need to be sorted before the Gameweek 1 deadline on August 11th, however.

Fantasy managers can build a watchlist before the draft, and this can act both as a shortlist of players you are coveting and also a list to govern your automatic picks should you be “away from keyboard”.

There is also the opportunity to take part in a mock draft, allowing you to experience the draft process before doing one for real.

Transactions

Transfers, or “transactions” as they are known in Draft, are made in three ways: Fantasy managers can make “waiver requests”, dip into the free agent pool or trade with another manager in their mini-league.

After the draft has completed, you can trade players with other managers in your league – depending on how it has been configured. Your league administrator can allow no trades, all trades unvetted or trades that need administrator/other managers’ approval.

The waivers, meanwhile, operate like transfer requests from managers who propose both the unattached player they want and the player being swapped out. A weekly deadline is set for waivers to take place and, when that is reached, they operate a lot like the draft.

Indeed, before the season starts, managers get their first waiver requests granted in the reverse order of the draft. So if you went last in the draft in Round 1, you will be the first to get your waiver request processed. However, once you have succeeded with a waiver, you then go to the back of the queue.

Things change when the season starts, with the waivers granted in reverse order of the league table. So if you’re bottom of your private/public league, your waiver will be granted first to give you the best opportunity to strengthen your team.

Inter-manager trade offers can be made each Gameweek until the waiver deadline passes. If trades in your league require approval, then the trade deadline will be 24 hours before the waiver deadline.

Players that are free agents become available once all the waiver requests and manager trades are made. These consist of players remaining in the pool and players that were released by other managers in the previous Gameweek.

Managers can draw from the free agent pool 24 hours before the Gameweek deadline and it’s on a first-come, first-served basis.

Fantasy Premier League have also published an FAQ and a list of rules on the Draft game, should further help be needed.

646 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Legohair
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Which one?

    A. Kane&Firmino
    B. Salah&Eriksen
    C. Try fit both Kane&Salah in my team

    1. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I’d go without both Kane and Salah! Get Eriksen and Firmino. Mane is much better value than Salah imo and the 3.5m will make a massive difference elsewhere!

      1. Legohair
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Ive been thinking also going without kane.i mean eriksen is 3 millions cheaper and he has scored almost same points as kane for past two seasons.it just kane is good captain almost every week too.if not going without kane or salah,there is no clear captains in my team.

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Huge price differences. By having Eriksen and Mane I can make a well-balanced squad. Plus Kane doesn't score in August, eh?

          1. Legohair
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            This august he might score i believe and he will delifer over 30 goals this season thats sure.damn it this is hard this year.

  2. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Will Aguero be nailed at start of next year?

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I think so. Sent home earlier than Jesus and he’s established himself as Pep’s favorite.

      1. JONALDINHO
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Forgot about Jesus! If Brazil get to final he will surely miss first 2?

    2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I'll go with Kun at the start . Don't fancy Auba vs city. Can always change later

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I think Aguero will be an easy captaincy candidate for weeks after the first game.

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Could even captain him GW1.

          City v Ars will surely have goals?

      2. JONALDINHO
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Could get Kun for first 3 and switch to Auba after that. Actually I will do that.

  3. Ragabolly
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Thank God they finally changed the rules for the weekly FPL prize! Now you can't win if you use a chip or if your team is less than two gameweeks old. Fair enough!

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Great to finally see 🙂

    2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Pogba on a yc..I'm still tempted though

      1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Well this is a fail of Epic proportions

        1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          😀

    3. Norman Conquest
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yea

  4. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    These moves look good?

    Griezmann ➡ Kane
    Isco ➡ Willian
    Ramos ➡ Trippier

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yes they do

    2. Red Dagger ✪
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah not bad.... You're amazing 😉

  5. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Last place in side to

    A Pogba
    B Willian
    C Other player up to 8.9 m

    Alisson
    Pavard Miranda Maguire Godin
    Coutinho Bentacur xxxxxx
    Lukaku Mbappe Kane

    Olsen Modric Golovin Granqvist

    1. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      B

    2. kinghenry14
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      b imo

  6. Murder On Zidanesfloor
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    PRMT

    Fabianski/ Mccarthy
    Mendy/ Coleman/ TAA/ Daniels/ Berdnarek
    Salah/ Eriksen/ Ramsey/ Jota/ Masuaku
    Aguero/ Tosun/ Zaha

    Thoughts?

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      TAA may have competition with Gomez and Clyne but good looking team with Salah there

    2. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Salah and Tosun / Mane and Firmino. Who would you choose?

      1. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Mane and Firmino

        1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Salah for that X factor Captaincy option

  7. willl
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Need to make my transfers for WC:

    Isco Ramos Carvajal to Modric Lovren T. Silva

    Good moves?

    1. kinghenry14
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      yes imo

    2. Super Squirrel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Seems great, would love to have T.silva in my team too if i could afford.

  8. Kizza_10
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Is there any changes you would make to this team ?

    Fabianski
    Cedric J.Evans Mee
    Sessegnon Sane Salah Milivojevic
    Zaha Kane Vardy

    Subs:
    Begovic, Bednarek, Schelotto, Masuaku

  9. ★Kuntheman★
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Alright where are my fellow intellectuals at? 😉 Anyone have Milivojevic?

    1. willl
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      If VAR was used in the prem maybe

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        He’d be a damn captaincy option if that was the case

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Price jumped too high for me.

    3. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      If Zaha stays, Seems too good for Palace, He's good for 8 or so.

  10. Az
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Hey all, been at my graduation all day but....
    AAHHH
    IT'S HERE!!!

    1. willl
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Congrats.

      Feels like it has come out so early, suppose WC has kept me occupied this summer.

    2. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Well done and congratulations!

      1. Az
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks!

    3. Norman Conquest
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Congrats on your graduation,

      1. Az
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks 🙂

    4. Super Squirrel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Congratulations!

      1. Az
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks!

    5. Clifford☯
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Congratulations!

  11. lordkippe
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    First draft :

    De gea / Boruc

    Azpi / Mendy / Van Dijk / Daniels / Bednarek

    Mane / Sigurdsson / Mkhitaryan / Jota / Gunnarsson

    Lukaku / Firmino / Zaha

  12. kinghenry14
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    what to do with this lot? 0.3ITB

    muslera mvogo*
    t.silva trippier carvajal* godin granqvist
    coutinho isco* lingard quintero* torreira
    neymar hazard griezmann

    looking at something like carvajal isco quintero --> pavard modric cheryshev
    any other ideas?

    cheers

    1. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Don’t get Cheryshev. IMO Golovin is much bigger threat.

      1. kinghenry14
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        would mean rakitic or willian instead of modric

        1. JONALDINHO
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Go for Willian. Modric doesn’t play too advanced and Willian seems like he’s going into form.

          1. kinghenry14
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            that was my initial plan but didn't want to go all in on brazil. but i think i'll do the same transfers as you then, willian looked great 2nd half

            1. DJDave1979
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Willian was immense and I'm not usually his biggest fan.

  13. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on Fantasy WC moves?
    Carvajal ➡️ Maguire
    Isco ➡️ Willian
    Quintero ➡️ Golovin

    1. kinghenry14
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      good moves imo

  14. pakornk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Guys, play Maximum captain or wait for semis?

    1. A Betting Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Way I see it, the remaining gameweeks are each spread over 2 days. But with this GW you get 4 fixtures, so a bigger chance of a high scoring match and thus player.

      It's marginal though, I guess having 15 players to choose from would also be beneficial, gives you 4 coming off the bench who could potentially be given the MC.

  15. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    1st Draft. Salahless.

    4.5 - 4.5
    Robertson - Mendy - Bailly - Baines - 4.5
    Mane - Silva - Mkhi/Lingard - Walcott - 4.5
    Kun - Firmino - 4.5

    1. Whats the Mata?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Kun - Firmino - Zaha*****

    2. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      4-4-2? If not defense is way to expensive! Downgrade it and upgrade one 4.5 to Zaha/Arnie/Etc. However as a 4-4-2 it looks nice!

  16. RossoneriHammer
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    I’d appreciate opinions please folks.

    Muslera *Sommer
    Pavard Godin Fagner Trippier *Rodriguez
    Golovin Modric Lingard Coutinho Carrasco
    Mbappe Lukaku Suarez

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Carrasco possibly a doubt as Chadli looked good when subbed on

  17. Atwood
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Any thoughts?

    Subasic - Muslera
    Hernandez - Maguire - Strinic - Lovren - Fagner
    Lingard - Coutinho - Modric - Bentancur - Claesson
    Neymar - Kane - Mbappe

    1. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Love it, zero changes I could suggest

    2. Super Squirrel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      g2g

  18. G-Whizz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Can I get this in Hieroglyphics? 😆

    "* To be eligible for a weekly prize you need to have either joined the game before the Gameweek 1 deadline, or at least 2 Gameweeks before the current one. For example, to win a weekly prize for Gameweek 7 you need to have joined the game prior to Gameweek 5. Additionally, to remain eligible for a weekly prize, you cannot have played a chip that affects your Gameweek points total (including Bench Boost, Free Hit, Triple Captain or Wildcard)."

    1. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Very welcome addition to the game

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I would have been even more strict but yes definitely one improvement right there for starters...

  19. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Which pair?

    A) Trippier + Mbappe
    B) Griez + Maguire

    1. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      A

    2. Super Squirrel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      A

    3. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      A by mile

  20. Jimmy Boy
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Bournemouth's opening fixtures look very nice, but there isn't really a standout option. Anyone reckon Wilson could start strongly?

    1. Jimmy Boy
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Nice*, very nice perhaps a bit strong

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Daniels looks good value there. Maybe Fraser.

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Wilson is never coming my team again. He is a troll.

      Stannis if fit is always a great option. Big if though.

  21. DJDave1979
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    I would hope for a couple of matches to be lost to the weather this season to prevent the template chip use pile up.

    Is it appropriate to snowdance?

  22. Super Squirrel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Iscoto

    A) Lingard
    or
    B) Willian

    1. Super Squirrel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Or alternatively

      C) Golovin (then can swap hazard to Neymar)

  23. TAT
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    In midfield, should I get:
    1. Sessegnon
    2. Jota
    3. Neves
    4. All three somehow

    Currently trying to field a team that includes De Gea and Salah.

    1. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I went with Sessegnon earlier today.

      1. TAT
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        He is the only one of these I've seen in a match. Know very little about the Wolves players, but what I've read have been positive.

    2. Norman Conquest
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      2

      1. TAT
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Jota better than Neves, you think?

    3. ***00tennis***
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Jota

  24. HALFSPACE
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Salah, Kane, Hazard, Sterling in one team without compromising my defence.

    But but Salah and Kane isn't possible!!!

    1. DJDave1979
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Post rest of team. I suspect your idea of not compromising defence isn't the same as for the rest of us!

    2. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Post it

    3. Our Tiny Windows
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      It is possible.

  25. mikess
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Trippier and Bentacur
    Or
    Maguire and Golovkin

    1. Super Squirrel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      First one IMO

      1. mikess
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers

  26. RossoneriHammer
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    I’d appreciate thoughts please folks.

    Muslera *Sommer
    Pavard Godin Fagner Trippier *Rodriguez
    Golovin Modric Lingard Coutinho Carrasco
    Mbappe Lukaku Suarez

    1. Our Tiny Windows
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      You know that’s good.

  27. jia you
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Salah, 13 million, in most people's RMTs (at this very early stage haha)!
    I would never go as far to say 'one season wonder' but there's def a very very strong chance of regression and 13m is a tad too expensive imo, thoughts?

    1. DJDave1979
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I agree. 13 is too much for me. 12 and he was in.

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah, I made a huge mistake last season going without him for way too long! So agree with you at 12m I'd also most likely fit him in but 13 is really tough!

    2. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Won't touch him unless he starts a mad run like last year.

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Yup if he fires heavy early, I'll have to swallow my pride but at 13m I'll gamble against that happening!

    3. ★Kuntheman★
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      In all my years playing this game I’ve never seen such an easy captain and forget player. In my team at any price.

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        You could be proven right on that yet mate, but not for me at 13m! Firmino looks a little steal and would prefer to go with him at the start along with possibly Robertson for a more balanced team

  28. ★Kuntheman★
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    With Son missing the first month of the season, Lamela (6.5) could be a great pick.

    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Or Pulisic

    2. Gringo Kid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Spurs will probably add a new player

  29. DJDave1979
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Despite being quite well ranked I have gone triple Sweden as an emotional hedge. I really hope they blank.

  30. nick8070
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Subasic Sommer(x)
    Meunier Trippier Godin Granqvist ???
    Coutinho Modric Bentancur Quintero(x) ???
    Kane Hazard Griezmann

    Have 12 mil to spend on 1 defender and 1 midfielder. Best combination?

    Was thinking perhaps Lovren/Golovin or TSilva/Claesson? Any other ideas?